dina long, don't let the pink sneakers fool you, sea bright's mayor is as tough as they come. >> i have reached a point where i am like governor chris christie, in that i am ready to kick butt and take names. this used to be my living room. >> she too is one of the displaced, her home ravaged by sandy. her plan is gutsy. >> you want to elevate all of downtown sea bright? >> i do. >> really? >> that is a sea bright that's built to last. >> reporter: the houses would look like this one, which would cost $250,000 to raise. she wants fema to pay for it. if not, they'll look to private investors, but not elevating is nongauc nonnegotiab nonnegotiable. >> 15 feet high? >> if i stay where i am, my flood insurance could go up 600% in the next five years. >> we're waiting for the help that's been promised to show up. >> who are you asking? >> i've been asking the state of new jersey, i've been asking fema, and we are waiting. >> so far, sea bright has received about $78,000 in public assistance from fema. no state funds as of yet and how federal relief dollars will be allocated is unclear. >> ve